Butane Soldering Iron!

jleemero · Post by **jleemero** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:45 pm

I got a good bit of money/gift cards over the holiday season, and I'm interested in picking up a nice cordless soldering iron.
Never hear anything good about ANY battery powered iron, so I'm thinking butane.

Thing is, I've never used a butane iron before, and I wouldn't know what to look for in purchasing one...

So!
I'd like anyone who's willing to make a recommendation for a good butane powered iron!

I work primarily with VERY small electronics.
Most through-hole, but I do regularly work with SMD components.
I usually use a 15-watt iron, does fine for everything I do.

Basement_Modder · Post by **Basement_Modder** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:29 pm

DO NOT get a cordless iron! They are TERRIBLE! I cannot express to you enough how much they SUCK! They NEVER get hot enough and they run the batteries dry in, like, a day of use!

My friend's dad has a very expensive cordless Iron and HATES it. Just get a really nice corded one. If you have enough cash, maybe a nice station. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh yayhhhhhhh... a station... how I want one of those...

jleemero · Post by **jleemero** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:31 pm

Basement_Modder wrote:DO NOT get a cordless iron! They are TERRIBLE! I cannot express to you enough how much they SUCK! They NEVER get hot enough and they run the batteries dry in, like, a day of use!

My friend's dad has a very expensive cordless Iron and HATES it. Just get a really nice corded one. If you have enough cash, maybe a nice station. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh yayhhhhhhh... a station... how I want one of those...

Well I did just say I don't plan on getting a battery powered iron, so...

Basement_Modder · Post by **Basement_Modder** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:39 pm

Oh s**t, did not see that!

I think I got my point across.

Post by **bicostp** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:41 pm

I didn't know butane ran on batteries!

Are you sure you want a cordless iron? You'd probably have better temperature control (essential for fine work) with a regular one.

jleemero · Post by **jleemero** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:46 pm

I'm happy with my 15-watt iron, and I don't want to replace it by any means!
I would just like a nice portable iron for doing work on the go!
Something I can keep in my car for that I can break out whenever I need to, say, at school or at a friend's house.

Most butane irons I've seen say that their temperature can be adjusted, somewhere between roughly 500 and 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
A 15-watt iron peaks at about 530 F or so.
Seems like it'd work.

Thoughts?

Post by **marshallh** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:13 pm

Weller Pyropen Jr.
Has served me well for nearly two years. The design is time-tested and hasn't been cost-optimized by some manufacturer in China.
I've been using the tip that came with it for two years, still looks brand new.
Also has an attachment that is handy for hot air reworking.

The price is high but well worth it. $60-70
Heats up in 15 seconds, adjustable from (approx) 15W-40W electrical equivalent

Me helping build the ToiletP at MGC 08

jleemero · Post by **jleemero** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 11:17 pm

marshallh wrote: Weller Pyropen Jr.

Awesome!
Thanks for that nice little write-up, this little guy looks to be exactly what I'm looking for!

Thanks much Marshallh.

Neildo_64 · Post by **Neildo_64** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:56 am

One they have at harbor freight. I have 2 and they are awesome. I also have a cold heat soldering iron (these SUCK) and a weller cordless 3x AA powered soldering iron which is hella nice for running on batteries.